Sundries & Finishing Touches

Bob Elliot & Co Bob Elliot Co Ltd - Suppliers of high quality bicycle supplies to registered traders (bob-elliot.co.uk) have kindly supplied me with some of their KranX Stretta Primo-High Grip Anti-Shock Handlebar Tape, which was the other stimulus for change. The KranX employs an adhesive backing, which may be a deal-breaker for some. Double-layer construction promises excellent grip and damping. Any colour you like so long as it’s black.  

Black is great for hiding grime and patina but there are four subtle undertones. In this instance and offered the choice, I’ve gone for the fluro green. Brighter than might be expected but complementary contrast to the bike’s green/black narrative. Depending on the light, it looks yellow, which is complimentary. On the subject of yellow, its certainly been gilet weather these past few weeks, and I’ve certainly warmed to this Oxford Venture Windproof Gilet OXFORD VENTURE WINDPROOF GILET | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) which has a nice blend of features. Decent-sized breast pocket for valuables (Superzoom compact camera being my stowaway of choice) and, at the back, the classic triple terrace.  The cobalt grey detailing is a very potent stealth retro-reflective. Grey by day but turns a very bright, silvery-white when graced by vehicle, or street lighting.   

I also needed a suitable wedge pack.  

A quick rummage through my containers unearthed a filth spattered Axiom Grand Fondo and a similarly silty Dill Pickle Store model, which I have a soft spot for.  

Since I was doing a kit wash in any case, I tossed both in. The Axiom shows some minor signs of wear, where it made contact with the Kinekt 2.1 Suspension Seatpost KINEKT 2.1 SUSPENSION SEAT POST | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com). This won’t affect its structural integrity, nor will it permit water/similar ingress inside. Capacity is the main draw here for both models, although I tend to pop multi-tools, tyre levers and Co2 cartridges, spare chain links, fasteners etc inside a smaller, water-resistant sack.  

After some deliberation, I went for the Grand Fondo and strapped it in situ. I put the main tools in this Passport Frequent Flyer TESTED: PASSPORT FREQUENT FLYER WEDGE PACK (sevendaycyclist.com) wedge pack and slipped it inside the Axiom, Russian doll fashion, then added 2 spare tubes. I’d found a fresh stash in a big cardboard box that hadn’t been scrutinised since relocating. 

 I often carry two multi-tools. My main one and a second, easily to hand, should someone need to nip something tight. Old but serviceable, so not insurmountable if its damaged, or lost. Good maintenance and self-reliance are key riding skills that cyclists and motorcyclists must practice and cultivate.  I will always help another rider but unless they are in distress, or particularly vulnerable, won’t get overly involved.  

     

Being as it was holiday Monday and though skies were cobalt, a stiff breeze was holding the rains back. One thing led to another. I noticed the front mech wasn’t as smooth and snappy as it might be. Slackening the mount and judiciously angling the cage slightly brought this back into focus, as did adjusting cable tension/friction at the shifters.  

The rear Victory mech had also become slightly gummed up-residual wax lube. Noting a quick blast of Muc-Off Fast Drying Degreaser and clean rag couldn’t blitz. Chain length was then called into question. Not far out but removing three links proved the cure. Borderline neurotic gear changing confirmed it would skip up and down the freewheel and no problems clambering up and down from big to small rings either.  

Predictably, the rear brake’s new inner wire had stretched slightly, so I pulled that through, snugged it down and pruned the excess with these Jagwire Pro Cable Cutters And Crimpers JAGWIRE PRO CABLE-CUTTERS AND CRIMPERS (sevendaycyclist.com). By this point, the weather was looking particularly bandit, so I repatriated everything to the garage and quit while I was still tangibly ahead. Satisfied all was well, I glued the end and dressed the Salsa Bell Lap with the KranX handlebar tape. In common with Ursula’s (Univega) Control Tech, it’s a surprisingly thick wrap, and getting it started, at the ends took several attempts.  

However, once flowing, it responds well to being stretched and bound firmly. Particularly on a curvy drop, such as the Teenage Dream’s Salsa Bell-lap, or the Soma Condor TEST: SOMA CONDOR HANDLEBAR (sevendaycyclist.com)    or the Genetic D-Riser 16 GENETIC D RISER 16 BARS | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

 

Talking of the Soma Condor, glancing down at my Fixed Gear Winter Trainer’s VDO computer, mid-ride, I was greeted by strike action. Well, more accurately, it was insistent I change the battery before all data was lost, which is a welcome safety buffer. Slipped in another CR2032 cell and then, while coursing through the settings, found a backlight option (which had been turned off). I've set it to engage around dusk. Wish I'd turned the cadence function on, while I was there but can't recall what I've done with the sensor unit. 

 

True Wheels & Fine Tuning

The opportunity, coupled with my philosophy of not procrastinating, saw me leave the Teenage dream’s MA2/Athena wheelset with Mick Madgett of Madgett Cycles in Diss Madgetts Cycles | The Cycle Specialists   

Turnaround was particularly quick, given Mick had a workshop full of machines awaiting repair/servicing. A  family-run business with a great pedigree and willing to undertake anything from a puncture to a complete restoration. I rarely need a shop’s services but a good one is worth their weight in gold. In short, the wheels are beautifully true once more. 

Not procrastinating shouldn’t be confused with impulsive. 

I’m not advocating sending an important email that hasn’t been proofread or commencing a rebuild at midnight. Rather, effective time management.  

It is cost/time effective for me to strip and regrease a set of hubs on the weekend, I’m not going to make a decent job of truing a set of wheels and in fact, run the risk of trashing them. Therefore, outsourcing to a highly skilled wheel builder is an obvious move. Cheaper, quicker, smarter, essentially.  

Closer scrutiny revealed the tubes were also past their prime, the sealant-filled front spitting orange goo from its long valve stem. Velox rim tape still seemed solid, so stays.  Seen in a broader context, the little n’ often discipline is incredibly efficient and greatly reduces the risk of becoming overwhelmed.  

I am presently working on a longitudinal piece, starting in 1992 and running to the present day. Another example where I could easily be overwhelmed by its magnitude.  Applying myself and time in set blocks/word limits means a steady, continuous progression-to the point of habit, so the results, rather than efforts are what’s noticed. 

 

On a more basic/general level, emptying a kitchen waste bin and taking it out, rather than allowing the contents to overflow and thus create more work is time better spent. Several weeks’ testing the Bat Wax, I’ve decided to switch back to the Weldtite Ceramic Lube WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)           

Not least, since I needed to assess the Muc Off High-Pressure Quick Drying Degreaser Chain & Cassette’s prowess on chain lubes, not just liquified lithium greases (although this was a very good indicator of its purging prowess on more intense, impacted lubes).  

Wax lubes can become quite congealed in places, particularly along the side plates and around the derailleur jockey wheels, even when the rollers are bare. In common with the Weldtite Jet Blast Degreaser WELDTITE JET BLAST DEGREASER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) These are powerful solvents that work very fast on residual stuff but require subsequent agitation with a stiff brush.  

To get Ursula’s transmission clean enough for the ceramic wet, I needed to introduce some Squirt Bike Cleaner Concentrate SQUIRT BIKE CLEANER CONCENTRATE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) agitate, then rinse with warm water.   

 

This also presented an ideal opportunity to give Ursula a wash and subsequent paste waxing. In this instance  The Naked Bikes Pro Wax Special Edition Special Edition NAKED BIKES PRO WAX SPECIAL EDITION | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com)           was closest to hand and rather good, in my experience.  I also gave the saddle a light feeding to keep the hide supple and protected. 

 

Wheels trued and transmission cleaned, now was the time to treat the Teenage Dream’s frameset and components a thorough wax polish and evaluated otherwise neglected component health. Specifically, brake pads, cables and bar tape. 

 Aside from some brake dust and subsequent grime, pads showed no sign of wear. I replaced the rear inner cable and ferrules, which brought braking up a couple of notches. I refitted the now gleaming Sachs chain and treated it to some Tru Tension Bannaslip Tungsten All Weather Lube TRU TENSION TUNGSTEN ALL WEATHER LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

There wasn’t very much remaining in the bottle, it’s very clean and easy to apply, so an obvious choice. Zefal Pro Dry Lube ZEFAL PRO DRY LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) was my other option and I’d probably go this route, as and when Spring brings warmer drier conditions.   

The existing Widget Premium Silicone wrap looked decidedly jaded, so merited replacement. In common with other genuine silicones, it’s naturally grippy, no call for an adhesive backing.  

Easily removed without the mucky clean up associated with adhesive backings. Perfect for cable replacement and like-for-like bar swaps. Uniformly bleached, the wrap was still useful, so I tickled it clean with my Green Oil Bicycle Brush GREEN OIL BIKE BRUSH REVIEW (sevendaycyclist.com) dipped in Squirt Bike Cleaner Concentrate. On the subject of cleaning, Steve’s been impressed by this Dirt Doc Bike Cleaner DIRT DOC BIKE CLEANER | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) 

Cleaned, rinsed, and dried, I bagged it up and put in my contact points box- in case I can’t find anything suitable. I’ve toyed with a few colourways , including celeste. Black is the most obvious contrasting colour. Ok, so Black is a shade, not a colour but you get the general idea. Green is actually more versatile than might be thought. Yellow, grey, white, olive to name a few. Were the Teenage Dream a winter/trainer then a fluro green/yellow would be another obvious compliment. A two-tone fade effect also has potential. Watch this space...